We use a variety of analytics and marketing cookies to help improve our website and give you the best possible
experience. Analytics cookies allow us to review our website traffic and performance, building intelligence on how
our site is used. We also use marketing cookies via third party technologies/agencies to advertise online. These
track the ads you have been exposed to, and help us serve up targeted and relevant content to you. You can change
your cookie settings at any stage if you wish. By continuing without changing your cookie settings, you are
therefore agreeing to this. Please read our website terms of use to find
out more.

BSc/BSc (Hons) Physical Activity, Health and Wellbeing

If you are seeking a career drawing on your interests in physical activity, health and wellbeing, this course will equip you with the skills you need to succeed in a wide range of relevant roles within different settings. Equally as important, it will kindle your passion to go out into the world and make a real difference in a field you truly care about.

Everyone knows that being physically active is good for health. So why do some people find it hard to make positive choices? How can we use science and creativity to support more people to be active and healthy? This is a fascinating and empowering subject that needs a broad range of knowledge and skills, including anatomy and physiology, professional communication, health promotion and sustainable community development.

NB This course has changed since the printing of our UG Prospectus 2020. This page has been updated to reflect the changes.

See the foot of the page for some student case studies/ staff profiles

Why QMU?

Learn how to use scientific knowledge, creative thinking and your personal passion to make a positive difference in the world.

You’ll learn first-hand from professionals and service users from the voluntary, statutory and private health and social care sectors.

You’ll enjoy becoming an expert in this field – we think the course should be called ‘Fun, Health and Wellbeing’…

About the course

Everyone knows that being physically active is good for health. So why do some people find it hard to make positive choices? How can we use science and creativity to support more people to be active and healthy? This is a fascinating and empowering subject that needs a broad range of knowledge and skills, including anatomy and physiology, professional communication, health promotion and sustainable community development.

You’ll study the theory and practice of promoting healthy behaviours such as physical activity, and participate in community engagement activities in different environments with a wide range of service users. This is a course that will make you think differently about the world and the community around you. For example, did you know that if you teach a primary school child the very simple skill of catching a ball, they are more likely to be coordinated, to enjoy team sports in high school and to be active throughout their whole life and so less likely to be overweight and unhealthy?

Student joining the course in Year Two will study health issues in the community. Exploring issues together with input from community groups will expand your understanding of real-world problems related to health and inequalities. All the skills and knowledge for working as a personal trainer and in exercise referral will be covered, including an introduction to healthy eating, food and nutrition.

Years Three and Four have a broader scope, looking at service provision, developing an understanding of working with community groups and organisations such as charities and care homes. Studying entrepreneurship, leadership and sustainable community development, you will learn how to identify community and organisational needs related to health and wellbeing, and design a sustainable solution to a particular issue. The process and solution you develop will draw on experience from the community engagement opportunities and will form a significant part of the work required for your final year dissertation.

Structure

Students joining this course with a HND can opt to study for an ordinary degree or an honours degree. For those joning with an HNC, you can opt to study for an ordinary degree over two years or an honours degree over three. You will complete a range of modules each year as outlined.

Teaching, learning and assessment

You will be taught in lectures, seminars, practical workshops and laboratories. Outside these timetabled sessions you will be expected to continue learning through self-study.You will be assessed by a combination of written exams, practical demonstrations, oral presentations and assignments at the end of each module or semester. For full details see the course entry on our website. >>Click for more information on 'Teaching, Learning and Assessment'

Modules

Year Two (first year on campus)

Health Issues in the Community

Evidence-based Practice

Exercise Prescription for Health and Wellbeing

Lifestyle, Food and Society

Behaviour Change

Year Three

Dissertation

Epidemiology in Public Health

Health Entrepreneurship

Integrating Module Year Three – Contemporary Practice in Physical Activity, Health and Wellbeing

Psychosocial Aspects of Health Behaviour Change

Work-based Learning Placement Year Three

Year Four

Honours Project

Work-based learning placement Year Four

Understanding Leadership

Sustainable Consumption

Integrating Module Year Four – Physical Activity, Health and Wellbeing

This course is due for re-validation in 2020 and it’s likely that modules will change from those listed here. Please check the website for any updates.

Placements

You’ll be able to get involved in community-based activities in a variety of settings. These could include: running exercise classes in public and private organisations; working with people with learning disabilities, and with organisations providing services to children or older adults. You will be expected to demonstrate that you can communicate effectively with people of all ages, with a wide range of physical and mental health capacity.

Exchange opportunities

We plan to introduce international exchange opportunities in the next year. Please check the website for updates.

Careers

Where do you want to make a difference to the lives of the people in your community? Look there, and that’s where you’ll make the first steps on the road to a successful career. Recent graduates are putting their passion into action in voluntary organisations, the NHS, charities, local authorities and the sports and leisure industries. For example as a co-ordinator for Active Schools, or developing hea;lth and fitness programmes for leisure services.

Entry requirements

This degree focuses on supporting students in further education wishing to progress onto university. For entry in 2020, there will be no Year One running for this course and students will join in either Years Two or Three.

Course Overview

A Student Story - more at foot of page

Scott Mulhearn - BSc/BSc (Hons) Physical Activity, Health and Wellbeing
"The lecturers are great, very knowledgeable and they pass on all they know onto you. In terms of teaching, there is not one thing that has been above the rest as everything is explained and taught to the next level."
Read my story